Earsonics sm3 V2

[dfkt]

Quote:

Hopefully, that won't be the case with reshelling with Earsonics. I'm just getting mine reshelled by them because my headphones happen to be in their hands.
 


 

Oh, seems I misunderstood. I thought it was about 3rd party reshellers, like Fisher or UM. I guess Earsonics should be capable of doing their own phones justice.
 

 

[ericp10]

Well, if this is truly how you and James hear it, I think it is your duty to the head-fi community to state it, or at least provide a link (like you did here) on the W4 thread. Bottom line, those who still believe spending more money is better (the Custom 3 for a $100, HJE-900. DDM and now Fischer FA-011 headphones totally erased those thoughts from my mind now) will continue to do that with the W4. Those who are interested in the best sound at the most affordable price will head your words. I myself don't believe the SM3 is worth $130 more for detachable cables and a new shell. Thanks for the information. I may now try The Phonak.
Quote:

 
Heh, yeah, I'm afraid that finding might lead to a lot of drama. Not sure how to handle it here on Head-Fi. Here's my full post about it: http://anythingbutipod.com/forum/showpost.php?p=552467&postcount=523  By the way, I had James444 listening to both side by side as well, and he generally thinks the same as me about the W4 and PFE.
 
Sorry for the off-topic. Back to SM3v2.

 

 

[nickie]

So anyone sending back yet ?
Is the upgrade price still 60€ including the cable ?

 

[james444]

Quote:

Well, if this is truly how you and James hear it, I think it is your duty to the head-fi community to state it, or at least provide a link (like you did here) on the W4 thread. Bottom line, those who still believe spending more money is better (the Custom 3 for a $100, HJE-900. DDM and now Fischer FA-011 headphones totally erased those thoughts from my mind now) will continue to do that with the W4. Those who are interested in the best sound at the most affordable price will head your words. I myself don't believe the SM3 is worth $130 more for detachable cables and a new shell. Thanks for the information. I may now try The Phonak.

Well, I wouldn't overrate that statement. Don't want to contradict dfkt's findings, but I only did a short A/B audition in less than ideal surroundings. I agreed with him that both sound signatures were very similar except that the W4 sounded a tad more meaty in the lower range. The highs however struck me as noticably more simplistic on the PFEs. He had the Twin Peaks soundtrack on his Clip and the difference in these slowly brushed cymbals was instantly apparent.
 
Now, the PFEs are perfectly designed and excellently balanced IEMs, so there's essentially not much that a more expensive phone can do better within the same sound signature. So once again it all boils down to the well-known law of diminishing returns and the question whether rather small differences in performance are worth the substantial difference in price.

 

[ericp10]

Thanks for the added analysis @ james444. You and dfkt's opinions are highly valued by myself and, I am sure, to quite a number of other head-fiers. With that said, please expedite your EX1000 and W4 fairly quickly to Chicago so that I can do my own analysis and ship them back to you in two weeks...................

.  LOL.... Thanks again and happy listening.
 
Quote:

Well, I wouldn't overrate that statement. Don't want to contradict dfkt's findings, but I only did a short A/B audition in less than ideal surroundings. I agreed with him that both sound signatures were very similar except that the W4 sounded a tad more meaty in the lower range. The highs however struck me as noticably more simplistic on the PFEs. He had the Twin Peaks soundtrack on his Clip and the difference in these slowly brushed cymbals was instantly apparent.
 
Now, the PFEs are perfectly designed and excellently balanced IEMs, so there's essentially not much that a more expensive phone can do better within the same sound signature. So once again it all boils down to the well-known law of diminishing returns and the question whether rather small differences in performance are worth the substantial difference in price.

 

 

[nickie]

 
Quote:

Thanks guys I did misread the post. Still going to send these in, then they will be fixed and have the new cables and shells.

So how much did they charge you ? Here people say 60€ but other place they say you´ll have to make a puchase for the new cable (listed for 45€) +  Maintenance and Modification Offer (listed 71.76€) = 116,75€ madness if thats true

 

[matto]

Quote:

Thanks for the added analysis @ james444. You and dfkt's opinions are highly valued by myself and, I am sure, to quite a number of other head-fiers. With that said, please expedite your EX1000 and W4 fairly quickly to Chicago so that I can do my own analysis and ship them back to you in two weeks...................

.  LOL.... Thanks again and happy listening.
 


 

Eric! remember when I spoke to you on the other SM3 thread? regarding if sm3 ever came out with detachable cables I'd be getting them? Oh yes I am,soundearphones agreed to give me credit for my MD's which I purchased from them 3 months ago so as soon as they have them in stock I'll be shipping over the MD's
 

 

[ericp10]

Yes, I remember @ matto. And please don't get me wrong, the SM3 is a very very IEM. It was one of my favorites (although I ultimately liked the SM2 better and the FX700 the most). Enjoy matto!
 
Quote:

Eric! remember when I spoke to you on the other SM3 thread? regarding if sm3 ever came out with detachable cables I'd be getting them? Oh yes I am,soundearphones agreed to give me credit for my MD's which I purchased from them 3 months ago so as soon as they have them in stock I'll be shipping over the MD's
 

 

 

[matto]

Quote:

Yes, I remember @ matto. And please don't get me wrong, the SM3 is a very very IEM. It was one of my favorites (although I ultimately liked the SM2 better and the FX700 the most). Enjoy matto!
 


 

Will do maybe in a year the SM2 prices will be ridiculously low because so much more people will be buying the SM3s I can get a pair=] but for now SM3 here i comee

 

[High_Q]

I've already posted my dislike for W4(fit problems) on the appreciation(maybe bad idea to do on appreciation thread), and the w4 mob was vicious.

  Anyway, I want to say PFEs rule.
 
Quote:

 
Heh, yeah, I'm afraid that finding might lead to a lot of drama. Not sure how to handle it here on Head-Fi. Here's my full post about it: http://anythingbutipod.com/forum/showpost.php?p=552467&postcount=523  By the way, I had James444 listening to both side by side as well, and he generally thinks the same as me about the W4 and PFE.
 
Sorry for the off-topic. Back to SM3v2.

 

 

[MaxwellDemon]

Quote:

I've already posted my dislike for W4(fit problems) on the appreciation(maybe bad idea to do on appreciation thread), and the w4 mob was vicious.

  Anyway, I want to say PFEs rule.
 


 

 
Frankly, I am no W4 fan (yet?), but I found your criticism to be overly over the top.

 
Just saying.
 
 

 

[kingice10]

Woah! W4 and PFE has the same sound signature?! Got to hear them in comparison.
 
Well, it's a bit misleading that other headfiers may think they have spend money on W4 in which they can also buy a cheaper version PFE (in which I am also thinking initially). But for me there no iems with different brands are similar in overall SQ. PFE can have W4s sound signature but still you got alot of differences IMO (built, internal design, warranty, etc, so much to consider)
 
So no need to bash @dfkt as they are actually speaking what they only heard from those phones.

 

[Inks]

I don't think anyone has bashed dfkt...There was one user that disagreed but that's it, seems not that many people have both...The PFE sure was a nice dynamic when I had them, impressive dynamic range for a BA 

 

[dweaver]

OK my puchase has been put on hold as I had to do some extensive upgrades to my computers at home so I can't justify spending the money at this time.

 

[sofastreamer]

has no one of the former sm3 owners a problem with its weird soundstage? to my ears it sounds like not expending to the sites but miles and miles behind the head and down my throat. yes kind of 3d, but very strange. i could not stand that for a long time, because i got something like seasick. or maybe i got a defective unit.